Port Richey council members and residents signaled support Sept. 2 for engineering and public-information steps to advance repairs and possible marina infrastructure at Nick's Park and Waterfront Park.

Devon Aaron (resident, 5414 Bay Boulevard) told the town hall: "Nick's Park's in complete disarray," and urged the city to consider a marina and dockage that could generate revenue. Aaron sketched an approach that would start with a modest number of wet slips and scale up, saying "we could probably start with, maybe 75 or 80" slips and that dock revenue could help the city maintain facilities. He suggested Waterfront Park’s deed restrictions (referred to in the meeting as involving "FCT") allow programming that benefits at-risk youth and the public if the city develops an acceptable plan.

Council and staff said steps are already under way. City staff told the council that at the previous meeting the council "by consensus" asked staff to pursue engineering for Bob's (Councilman Robert Hubbard) idea and to place public informational documents at Nick's Park. A council member summarized: "the consensus of council was to look into that. It should be happening." Staff said engineering would help define options for dockage, parking reconfiguration and long-term dredging needs and allow the city to apply for grants and state assistance if a clear plan emerges.

Other ideas discussed at length included reconfiguring Nick's Park parking so the waterfront is more accessible, a potential amphitheater and an expanded marina at Waterfront Park tied to a land-lease from the state. Participants also discussed a possible land swap with a local bait-shop owner (referred to as "Billy") to consolidate park frontage and create more contiguous park space and parking; council members asked staff to pursue initial outreach only after a concept and valuation are prepared.

No formal appropriation or approval to build docks occurred at the town hall; staff were directed to obtain engineering work, prepare public documents for on-site display, and return concrete options and cost estimates to council. Councilmembers emphasized that any construction or use of CRA dollars must align with the CRA plan and be brought back for formal action.